New passively Q-switched LD-pumped self-Raman laser with single-step cascade SE → SRS wavelength conversion on the base of monoclinic Nd3+:Y2SiO5 crystal

Monoclinic Y2SiO5 was found to be an attractive, simultaneously laser and chi((3))-nonlinear active optical crystal. Passively Q-switched LD-pumped nanosecond Nd3+:Y2SiO5 self-Raman laser, operating by nonlinear-cascaded scheme is reported. We achieved also quasi-CW generation of Y2SiO5:Nd3+ at 1.3585 mu m. Many-wavelength Raman-induced chi((3))-lasing in undoped Y2SiO5 under picosecond excitation has been observed, as well. All recorded Stokes and anti-Stokes components were identified and attributed to SRS-promoting vibration modes. Gives a short review of self-Raman lasers and laser potential of rare-earth C-2h(6)-monoclinic orthosilicates doped with Ln(3+) lasants. [GRAPHICS] The dependences of the average output power versus incident pump power at lambda(p) approximate to 0.809 mu m wavelength of the nanosecond Nd3+:Y2SiO5 self-Raman laser at lambda(St1-1) =1.1947 mu m (shown by triangles) and of the quasi-CW Nd3+:Y2SiO5 laser at wavelengths of lambda(SE) = 1.3585 mu m (F-4(3/2) -> I-4(13/2)) and lambda(SE) = 1.0782 mu m (F-4(312) -> I-4(11/2)) (C) 2010 by Astro Ltd. Published exclusively by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA